Shownotes
This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more
It's day two of the Detroit Auto Show, and Jan is back at Kettering University's AutoMobili-D exhibit, diving into conversations with the people shaping the future of mobility.
Dr. Jacqueline El-Sayed, CEO of SAE International, set the stage with her thoughts on why hands-on learning is the best way to prepare engineering students for the challenges of the real world.
Next, legal expert Jennifer Dukarski talks about the challenges and opportunities of AI in automotive. From national security concerns to ethical data use, her insights show why careful regulation and testing are essential.
Dr. Huseyin Hiziroglu, a seasoned professor at Kettering, brings decades of expertise to the conversation as he dives deep into the challenges of energy storage and why solving these roadblocks is critical to advancing EV adoption.
In a fun twist, Kettering student Ian Gibson stepped in as guest host to interview Jose Flores, CEO of Ancor Automotive. Jose shared how he turned a decades-old company into a modern tech player, earning the trust of seasoned employees and embracing digital transformation.
Later, Alisyn Malek, co-founder of May Mobility, talks about her Changing Lanes program, which bridges Michigan's automotive and startup ecosystems. Her vision of empowering experienced professionals to explore new opportunities is reshaping career paths in the industry.
Matt Fortescue, Kettering’s Director of Enrollment, talks about what makes Kettering unique. From hands-on co-op programs to small class sizes, he explains how Kettering sets students up for success in ways that larger institutions often can't.
Ted Serbinski takes a different approach, focusing on the next generation of innovators. With his work in tech education, he ensures kids learn not just how to use technology but how to wield it for success, equipping them for a digital future.
Finally, Kettering senior David Glover shares his journey into AI and how the university's support has helped him take the following steps toward making an impact in the industry.
Your Host
Jan Griffiths is the architect of cultural change in the automotive industry. As the President & Founder of Gravitas Detroit, Jan brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for transforming company cultures. Additionally, she is the host of the Automotive Leaders Podcast, where she shares insightful conversations with industry visionaries. Jan is also the author of AutoCulture 2.0, a groundbreaking book that challenges the traditional leadership model prevalent in the automotive world. With her extensive experience and commitment to fostering positive change, Jan is at the forefront of revolutionizing the automotive landscape. Reach out to her at Jan@gravitasdetroit.com
Co-host
Ian Gibson is an undergraduate student at Kettering University, pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Sustainability. As a Global Product Engineering Design Co-op at General Motors, he combines rigorous academic studies with hands-on, paid industry experience through Kettering's immersive Co-op program.
Featured guests:
Name: Jacqueline El-Sayed
Title: CEO, SAE International
Discussed: [01:27] With a career shaped by experiential learning and leadership, Dr. El-Sayed shares how her journey from Kettering to CEO of SAE International prepared her to drive innovation and quality across the mobility industry.
Name: Jennifer Dukarski
Title: Emerging Technology, Automotive, and Media Attorney at Butzel
Discussed: [04:45] AI’s potential in automotive innovation comes with critical challenges, from safety regulations to ethical considerations, and Jennifer shares how industry standards, diverse testing, and proactive compliance shape a safer, smarter future for mobility.
Name: Dr. Huseyin Hiziroglu
Title: Professor of Electrical Engineering, Kettering University
Discussed: [11:39] The future of mobility hinges on solving energy storage challenges, says Dr. Hiziroglu, as he discusses the evolution of EVs, the potential of hydrogen, and the breakthroughs driving progress.
Name: Alisyn Malek
Title: Founder and CEO, Middle Third
Discussed: [20:45] Alisyn shares how her Changing Lanes program bridges the gap between Michigan’s automotive and startup ecosystems, offering career coaching, networking, and opportunities for seasoned professionals to dive into the startup world.
Name: Jose L. Flores
Title: CEO, Ancor Automotive
Discussed: [24:20] Taking over as CEO of a 40-year-old company, Jose shares how he earned the trust of a seasoned team, pivoted to digital solutions, and offered advice to aspiring leaders on building passion and resilience.
Name: Matt Fortescue
Title: Director of Enrollment, Kettering University
Discussed: [28:34] Matt shares how Kettering University’s small class sizes, hands-on co-op programs, and dedicated support systems create a unique and supportive learning experience for students.
Name: Ted Serbinski
Title: Founder & Managing Partner, Stanson & Co
Discussed: [32:53] Ted shares how his journey from building Detroit’s startup ecosystem to creating tech solutions for schools is driven by a mission to prepare the next generation for a digital future.
Name: David Glover Jr
Title: Computer Science student at Kettering University
Discussed: [37:55] A passion for AI, meaningful connections, and unwavering support from Kettering University have helped David turn opportunities into career momentum in the automotive industry.
Mentioned in this episode:
- The Detroit Auto Show
- Mobility Global Forum
- Electromagnetic Field Theory Fundamentals and Electric Machinery and Transformers by Huseyin R. Hiziroglu and Bhag Singh Guru
- The Changing Lanes program
- Changing Lanes Fireside Chat with Founders: Building and Scaling Startups in Auburn Hills
- Hackathon
- Bulldog for a Day
Mentioned in this episode:
This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more
Transcripts
[Transcript]
[:This episode is brought to you by Lockton. Lockton redefines business insurance and people solutions with a personal touch. Their global team of 11,000 is driven by independence, not quarters to tailor success for your business. Discover the Lockton difference, where your goals become their mission. Independence, it's not just how you think, but how you act.
Joining me at the mic today is Jackie El-Sayed and she is the CEO of SAE International. Jackie, welcome.
[: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [:So, when you talk about regulations, it's one way to handle things and say we really shouldn't have things from China coming in, or we shouldn't allow ourselves to use Russian-based AI. But, really, let's think about how we're training our AI industry standards and even internal company procedures and protocols for testing to make sure we're getting true diversity. So we know that these vehicles can recognize all sorts of people. What's fascinating, 2019 Georgia Tech did a study, and they found that almost 10 percent of the time, AI in 2019 could not detect properly people of color as human beings. That was a scary study in my mind. It was redone by Kings College in London and a Chinese university within the last two years. They found that that's improved. We're down to closer to five or six percent inability to detect people of color. Whereas what they found now, children, over ten percent of the time, AI-driven vehicles had a problem detecting children. So, Jan, it's the regulations and exactly like you said, those standards and rules and internal thought and development of good test plans that are going to make sure that these technologies are safe and that they get to consumer adoption.
[: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [:[: [: [: [: [:
For example, for electric cars, when I was doing my PhD at Wayne State University, some years ago, almost 45 years ago, the director of electric car group of the research center came and presented a lecture to the engineering students. And he was telling that, that was like 1981, something like that. He mentioned that electric car is something impossible to make. There's no way. And we completely eliminated all those projects within GM. That was in 1981. I'm not talking about a century ago. It's just a few decades before. The reason was the knowledge was there, but technology was not there. You know, semiconductor technology for power circuitry. It was not available. It was available. It was very expensive. You couldn't use it. And permanent magnet technology, it was just coming gradually. And by the way, the permanent magnets that are being used in the electric cars today in their Brushed DC motors it was Neodymium Iron Boron magnets and it was actually invented and developed in the General Motors Research Labs, late 1970s and early part of 1980s. And they started to manufacture those magnets in a Delco plant in Indiana. Primarily for their S-10 trucks alternators. That is what I heard at the time. But after a while, because of the stringent regulations of getting that rare earth material, namely the Neodymium Oxide, mining it; it is abundant, but it is very difficult to mine. It's very deep on earth, and you have to use lots of chemicals and this and that, and it makes it quite difficult and makes it expensive. Then they decided to sell the whole technology to China. And buy it from there probably at a reasonable price. And they did that. And then, the whole manufacturing was transported to China. And over the years, the price has come down substantially. At the time when things were transported over there, it was like $75 a pound if you buy it in quantity, that magnet. Now it is like $24-25 because the production is much more and the quality also went up because they did extra research on that and they improved the material. And now that is available for our everyday life, everyday usage of an electric car. So, that is resolved. And the semiconductor technology resolved in later part of 1980s and earlier 1990s. Still, they're a bit expensive, but affordable. Yes.
[: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [:The only advice that I will give you is you need to have your goals very clear—short-term, mid-term, and long-term. Have a plan, and have a plan A, B, and C because your plan is not always going to go the same way. And something that I did that made me very successful on my early days was that I really put the hours and the effort, and I was really passionate about what I do. It doesn't matter what you do—it doesn't matter if you're a barista or an engineer or a constructor—as long as you're passionate about it and you're the best at it. So, I sell labels. People think labels are boring, but I'm the best in selling the labels, and I'm very passionate about it. So, I think that's my advice: hustle, create, and just put the hours in, because now when you reach the top of the mountain—they will always be on our higher mountain, by the way, —but you will look back, and you will feel rewarding, and feel that every sacrifice that you did was totally worth it.
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course, we need to have a student on the podcast. It is David Glover. David, welcome to the mic.
[: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [: [:Thank you for listening to the Automotive Leaders Podcast. Click the listen link in the show notes to subscribe for free on your platform of choice and don't forget to download the 21 Traits of Authentic Leadership PDF by clicking on the link below. And remember, stay true to yourself, be you, and lead with Gravitas, the hallmark of authentic leadership.
